Gorilla Weekend Rwanda

Gorilla Weekend Rwanda

Visit the Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda and explore the Parc National des Volcans. This gorilla safari itinerary makes for a great short-break holiday, and combines wonderfully with a longer Rwanda or East Africa safari itinerary.

Outline Itinerary

After lunch, depart for Volcanoes National Park. The journey north takes you through the beautiful terraced hillsides that are characteristic of much of Rwanda’s landscape, and then gradually higher into the Virunga volcanoes. On a clear day, the highest peaks are visible – a stunning spectacle.

Check in for three nights at Virunga Lodge.

Virunga LodgeVirunga Lodge is situated in a spectacular location on a hillside overlooking the Virunga Volcanoes and the twin lakes of Ruhondo and Bulera. It has just eight spacious bandas, set among well-maintained terraced gardens. From this base in the high Virunga mountains, you can climb a volcano, track golden monkeys and gorillas, or go for gentle strolls around the picturesque villages near the lakes. The lodge is located just three hours' drive from Kigali.

Day 2: Gorilla tracking

Today is spent gorilla tracking in Volcanoes National Park. Tracking the gorillas through the densely forested mountains of the Virungas is a magical experience.

The gorillas are free-roaming, and the national park vast, so you cannot be sure how long you will spend in the park tracking them—some days, you can get to the gorillas, spend an hour with them, and be back at the base in time for lunch. Sometimes, however, the gorillas are more elusive, and tracking can take a full day, especially when it is wet and muddy. While sightings are not guaranteed, they are expected.

On reaching your gorilla family, you will spend an hour with them, watching their interactions from a distance, before returning to your lodge. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 3: At leisure

Today is a free day. You can spend another morning with the gorillas (on payment of an additional permit at the time of booking), or alternatively you can spend the morning visiting the golden monkeys, another rare and elusive primate that has made itself a home in the Virunga Mountains.

Depending on your flight schedule, you may have free time in the city this afternoon, in which case we can arrange for a tour of the city before you transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

Price guide

Price based on two travellers in shared twin/double accommodation and subject to availability at the time of booking.